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9 Steps to Build Your Personal Brand (and Your Career)
Competition in the tech jobs industry is fierce, so how do you differentiate yourself from the pack? Whether you're a job seeker or just looking to grow professionally, creating an impressive and meaningful brand is the best place to start.
Wed, May 22, 2013
CIO — Businesses and people from every industry are competing to sell their brand in ads, commercials, on social media and everywhere else they can, and it's time that the forward-thinking people of IT got on board.
Personal branding isn't a new topic. In fact, it's been around since roughly 1997 when Tom Peters coined the phrase, but as we slowly recover from the economic downturn and with the rise of new technology and an increase IT consulting, personal branding is becoming more prevalent and more important.
Regardless of your role in IT--whether you are a CIO, a developer or a helpdesk technician-- developing and maintaining your personal brand should be a part of your long-term career strategy.
A personal brand is more than just maintaining your LinkedIn profile, according to the experts. "Good people put their head down and get caught up in their job and forget they have a whole career to manage," says 11 Profiles in Bad Leadership Behavior
1. Figure out what you do best and what you are known for
"What are the top one or two selling points that make you unique? You have to know what value you bring to the table even if other people can't see that yet because you're trying to build a story for them," says Rucker.
Doing this allows you to be more honest in your brand promotion. The end-game is to get potential employers to say, "Ah, this person understands the industry, he understands the history, here's what he's done in the past and here is what he is doing now and why he is important."
Rucker offers this example: If you look at Starbucks as a standalone store it is known for its coffee. Even though it can be inside a Target or grocery store, you know what that brand is. You're going to get a great cup of coffee. "People need to find out what those one or two things are and then define themselves on that," says Rucker.
One quagmire Rucker says she commonly sees is senior IT folks who use the generic term industry leader. When asked how they are an industry leader, they have a difficult time explaining. That said, if you know what your capabilities are, you can create a personal brand statement with the very specific attributes and qualities you bring.
"Your brand has to be authentic while still being meaningful and compelling, says Stephen Van Vreede, career strategist and resume writer with ITTechExec.
"You need to be honest with yourself about what your strengths are. Once you figure out what you do best, put all your energy into it because your talents are what make you stand out," says Dan Schawbel, author of the upcoming book, Promote Yourself: The New Rules for Career Success.


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Please download and read our carbon fiber care & maintenance flyer(.pdf 596k) and our information on Caring for the Carbon Steer Tube on your Fork flyer (.pdf 922k). Carbon fiber is a great material for producing premium bike frames and parts. However if a carbon part or frame experiences an impact it requires more expertise to determine its integrity than is needed for a comparable metal part. If your carbon part or frame has been crashed, we strongly urge you to have it assessed by your local Trek dealer as they are equipped to look for damage. Carbon fiber will not dent like metal but will crack which may lead to failure.
We do offer a Crash Replacement/Carbon Care program via our dealer network for carbon frames up to five years old which gives a rider a credit toward a new frame/part. To take advantage of this program contact your local Trek retailer.
Still have questions? Contact Us

subset: commoncrawl


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Eyeliner Styles and Shapes
Eyeliner is a magic makeup tool. Available in a vast array of colors, shapes and textures, it can totally transform your look and put a strong emphasis on your gorgeous eyes. But eyeliner is not a makeup tool to mess around with! As the power... Read More


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SabbaticalHomes.com© is an academic home exchange, home for rent, house swap, apartment for rent, off-campus housing and vacation home rental directory dedicated to scholars worldwide. SabbaticalHomes©, P.O. Box 2016, Manhattan Beach, CA 90267, USA.
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Burnt Butter
Owned and operated by Glenda and Lisa Flegeltaub, Burnt Butter is not butter that is burnt! It is the product of browning butter. A French method of cookery that requires a precise cook with lots of love! As a mother of five Glenda used to teach the children to bake Burnt Butter Biscuits and hence why the cafe was name saked. (And why kids are more than welcome!)
We are a cafe Monday-Friday and also operate as specialised children's caterers, cake decorators and produce unique edible take home gifts.Our philosophy is all about home cooking without preservatives that can be designed to suit your requirements and themes.
Looking for a party activity with a difference, without any fuss? Cupcake Decorating will keep your children entertained! We also have numerous items such as Apothecary lolly jars, mini glass milk bottles, cupcake stands and more available for hire.
Join us on Facebook, Instagam and Pinterest to hear about the latest children's party trends and new themes we are creating!
Click 'Visit Website' for more information or call Lisa on 0438 600 636 for bookings and enquiries.
Contact: 03 9696 5262
User reviewsUser Reviews - see how Kidspot parents share their recommendations
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My kids loved this!!By Belinda on 27/09/2011 12:50:41 PM
I took my 3 kids along to Burnt Butter yesterday and met with some friends. I got to have a coffee with my friends while the kids all sat at the same table to ice and decorate their cupcakes...What a mess!! what fun!! they had a ball. The kids received a chefs hat and apron and everything they needed for decorating. Great activity for the holidays.
Fab idea - great thing to do with the kids in the holidays or meet friendsBy Elaine on 15/09/2011 1:08:06 PM
I have seen this on Kidspot and it is such a good idea. What a better way than to catch up with friends for coffee and let the kids sit and decorate their own cupcake... Fab Burnt Butter.


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There is no mistaking Illinois for Kansas when it comes to driver behavior around children, state Rep. Elaine Nekritz says.
"I grew up in Kansas. Everybody slowed down for school zones,'' said Nekritz, a Democrat from Northbrook who has lived in Illinois for about 30 years. "I don't have that sense here.''
Nekritz is sponsoring legislation, which she expects will come up for a vote this week in the Illinois House, aimed at strengthening the 20 mph speed limit around schools to reflect the reality that vehicle-pedestrian crashes involving children don't occur only during school hours.
Illinois' current school-zone law requiring the reduced speed limit is in effect on school days and only during regular school hours, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
But the law misses the most critical times of day — extending several hours after school — when the most children are being struck by vehicles near schools, according to a Tribune analysis of data that was published in a graphic accompanying a Jan. 28 article titled "School zones: Where kids and risk intersect.''
Nekritz read the story and as a result her legislation, House Bill 3229, would amend state law to make the 20 mph school zone speed limit apply whenever children are present — regardless of the date or the time of day.
"The traditional thinking is that we protect kids during school hours,'' Nekritz said. "But the data show that accidents happen outside of school hours.''
In Chicago from 2007 through 2011, the most school-age pedestrians struck by vehicles occurred in the hours starting at 3 p.m., when 460 crashes occurred; 4 p.m., 384 crashes; 5 p.m., 408 crashes; 6 p.m., 399 crashes; and 7 p.m., 285 crashes, according to the Tribune analysis of data from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Chicago Police Department. The next highest, 277 crashes, occurred in the 2 p.m. hour. It was followed by 247 crashes recorded in the 8 a.m. hour.
The accident pattern holds statewide, according to a separate analysis using IDOT data conducted by the Active Transportation Alliance.
The Tribune analysis also found that half of the youths hit by cars in Chicago during the five-year period were crossing the street where safety should be the highest — within about a block of a school. That's where almost 1,700 youths ages 5 to 18 were struck by vehicles. Across Chicago, about 22 percent of the approximately 16,500 vehicle-pedestrian accidents between 2007 and 2011 involved injuries to youths.
"We need to slow down cars near schools, period,'' said Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance, which has worked with Nekritz to obtain the support of police agencies and IDOT. "As a parent, I know that kids go to and from school well before and after school hours, which contributes to so many kids being hit near schools outside of school hours.''
As originally drafted, House Bill 3229 proposed extending the 20 mph school zone speed limit to 24 hours a day, seven days a week regardless of whether children are present. But some police officials and IDOT officials complained that it would be too big of a switch because drivers are accustomed to the provision "when children are present,'' said Max Muller, director of government relations and advocacy at the transportation alliance.
Retaining the language about children being present also provides additional consistency because it mirrors the 20 mph speed limit around the clock in park zones statewide, officials said.
But IDOT officials have also expressed concerns about the cost of replacing signs near schools statewide, said Muller, who has participated in negotiations on the proposed legislation with IDOT as recently as Friday in Springfield. Many school zone signs contain the phrases "when children are present'' and "on school days.''
Jae Miller, an IDOT spokeswoman, said the department has not taken an official position on the legislation and is still reviewing it.
The cost of signage is a small part of the overall expense of maintaining a roadway system, Muller said. He compared it to the cost of remodeling a public restroom versus the cost of replacing the "men" and "women'' signs on the doors.
The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the legislation.
The Illinois Sheriffs' Association also supports the bill in its current form, said Greg Sullivan, association executive director.
"I think the change will have a positive impact on safety,'' Sullivan said. "We want drivers to get into the habit of slowing down every time they approach a school.''
Contact Getting Around at email@example.com or c/o the Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; on Twitter @jhilkevitch; and at facebook.com/jhilkevitch. Read recent columns at chicagotribune.com/gettingaround.


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Showing 1-96 of 233 items found in Outdoors & Play
Calvacade of Planes - Bolingbrook
At the Cavalcade of Planes held at Clow Airport in Bolingbrook, you will enjoy all kinds of fun. There will be many types of aircraft to see both flying and on the ground. Experience a great event including skydiving, formation flying, helicopter demonstrations and much more!
CITY: Bolingbrook
Larson's Family Farm
Visit the Larson Family Farm for some old fashioned country fun. In the fall, the farm offers pumpkins and gourds, hay rack rides and fall home decor. Come to the farm to cut your own Christmas tree. The venue is available for special event rentals. They offer evening bonfires on fall weekends and host school groups during weekdays.
CITY: Sanwich
Red Oak Nature Center
A visit to the center will help folks learn about the native plants and animals of the Fox River Valley. Interpretive center, hiking trails and tours of "Devil's Cave."
CITY: North Aurora
Bliss House Museum
The Bliss House Museum is operated by the Sugar Grove Historical Society and houses historical exhibits about the village of Sugar Grove and surrounding area. Anyone interested in researching their heritage, may contact the museum for access to probate and civil records dating 1839 - 1955. Hours: Open every Tuesday 1-4 pm or by appointment.
CITY: Sugar Grove
Phillips Park Aquatic Center
Deluxe water park with tube slides, simulated river, zero-depth pools and sand activity areas.
CITY: Aurora
Bug Fest
Explore the wonderful world of bugs! Travel the Fox River bike trail from Red Oak to Lippold Park and meet these amazing creatures that live in the ponds, prairies and forests. This stroller-friendly event includes demonstrations, hands-on activities, prizes and giveaways - all bug-inspired.
CITY: North Aurora
Raging Waves Waterpark
Aussie-themed Raging Waves is Illinois' largest outdoor waterpark. Sitting on more than 40 acres, this family-friendly waterpark features 17 water slides, a separate kiddie pool area,wave pool,lazy river,23 private cabanas,and more. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
CITY: Yorkville
Phillips Park
Located on over 325 acres, popular attractions include the Mastodon Gallery, the gorgeous Sunken Garden, an 18-hole golf course/driving range, the zoo, a 28-acre fishing lake with a one-mile multiple use trail, war memorials and the Winter Recreation Area.
CITY: Aurora
Cernan Earth and Space Center
The Cernan Earth and Space Center of Triton College features a variety of earth and sky shows, children's shows, laser light shows, earth and space exhibits, a membership program and the Star Store gift shop. Visit our website for more information on events and hours.
CITY: River Grove
Sandwich Fair
Always held the Wednesday after Labor Day. This large DeKalb County Fair held at the fairgrounds on Illinois Route 34, just south of DeKalb, in Sandwich. There will be a carnival, lots of different food vendors, entertainment for all tastes, horse shows to enjoy, truck and tractor pulls, and so much more.
CITY: Sandwich
Otter Cove Aquatic Park
Splash park features interactive children's water play area with safety surface.Lazy River, tube and body slides, lap pool, zero-depth entry pool, toddler pool, diving boards, concessions, sand play area.
CITY: St. Charles
Sycamore's Turning Back Time Weekend
Saturday is Cruise Night, complete with a free concert by Vintage Vinyl, a classic car cruise, food vendors, beer garden and more. The Classic Car Show is on Sunday featuring over 1,000 cars on display. This event is free to attend.
CITY: Sycamore
Phillips Park Zoo & Sunken Garden
Established in 1915, the zoo is open daily, 9am – 5pm, year round (closed on Thanksgiving day/Christmas day/New Year's day). Exhibits include primarily North American wildlife as well as a reptile house, which includes alligators as well as several species of snakes/turtles and tortoises.
CITY: Aurora
Geneva Kayak Center
Geneva Kayak Center is a paddlesport school and adventure travel company that's proud to be recognized as a ACA Pro School and offer both whitewater and sea kayak instruction. Their goal is to promote the sport of kayaking through safety and education. In addition to local offerings, they offer spectacular Adventure Paddling Trips for beginner to advanced paddlers, to amazing locations. Whether you want to enjoy an afternoon on the river or are preparing for a two-week expedition, Geneva Kayak Center believes the sport of kayaking should be fun, and enjoyed by all.
CITY: Yorkville
The Marge Cline Whitewater Course
The Marge Cline Whitewater course is located in Yorkville, IL at Bicentennial Riverfront Park on the Fox River, just 60 miles southwest of Chicago. The paddling community is all a dither about this course. Whether you're a novice or an avid canoeist or kayaker, you're sure to have a great experience.
CITY: Yorkville
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
A destination unlike any other features Fox Valley's natural treasures. Indoor turtle pond, wetland exhibit, live animal displays. Great for birthday parties or facility rentals.
CITY: St. Charles
Westmont Park District
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Providing numerous recreational and educational opportunities for seniors, adults, youth, and preschoolers at our 18 parks, golf course, health club, and new TY Warner Park.
CITY: Westmont
Party for the Planet at Brookfield Zoo
Celebrate Earth Day, April 27th at Brookfield Zoo by recycling your old unwanted electronics and then enjoy our Party for the Planet. Every day is Earth Day at Brookfield Zoo, but on this very special day we will be showcasing some of the steps you can commit to that will truly make a difference for animals across the globe! This year we will focus on the African Painted Dog, which are medium-sized dogs that live on the savannah and in the open woodlands of central and southern Africa. Party for the Planet will be filled with educational, engaging and fun activities for the entire family.
CITY: Brookfield
Bicentennial Riverfront Park
Bicentennial Riverfront Park is a five-acre community park on the south bank of the Fox River. Built by volunteers on Hydraulic Street, Bicentennial Riverfront Park makes optimum use of the river, with abundant fishing, plus canoe and kayak access to the white water chute. There is also a beautiful view of the Glenn Palmer Dam as you follow the trail along the river and the picnic area, playground and river-side pavilion are popular community gathering spots in the summertime.
CITY: Yorkville
Oak Brook Park District
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - The Oak Brook Park District represents five parks totaling 150 acres, and four facilities: Family Recreation Center (the Family Aquatic Center and Premiere Fitness Club), the Racquet Club, the Dorothy and Sam Dean Nature Sanctuary and Central Park West.
CITY: Oak Brook
Fox Valley Ice Arena & Fitness Club
Year-round sports complex with 3 ice surfaces, full-service pro shop, full-service fitness club, and on-site restaurant. Also home of The Chicago Freeze Junior A Hockey Team.
CITY: Geneva
Lippold Park Family Golf Center
The mini putt courses have been designed with separate themes, including the handicapped accessible Sports-N-Courts with a sports theme, and Tees-N-Trees with a prairie theme.
CITY: Crystal Lake
Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve
Just 20 miles from downtown Chicago, located in Oak Brook, IL is the Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve. It's an easy hike consisting of a 3.2-mile loop. The trail is good for all skill levels and offers a number of activity options. Nearly all of the hike follows Salt Creek as it winds around the bluff and past a few islands on its way to the historic watermill at the south tip of the park.
CITY: Oak Brook
Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve
Nature preserve for bird watching. There are herons and egrets which flourish through the parks and around the lake.
CITY: Plainfield
Fox River Canoe & Kayak
This is self guided river trips with canoe or kayak. The St. Charles trip takes about 2 1/2 hours.
CITY: St. Charles
Hamilton Lakes
Hamilton Lakes is home to Chicagoland's largest fireworks display synced to music as well as an annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games. The lakes also offers several fields good for soccer tournaments and other outdoor activities.
CITY: Itasca
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
Educational facility offering exhibits, interactive programs and interpretive trails that highlight DuPage County's unique natural history. Open daily. Admission free.
CITY: Oak Brook
Burnidge/ Paul Wolff Campground
Playground and fishing. 9 miles of hiking trails.
CITY: Elgin
Bolingbrook Park District
Providing over 2,100 opportunities for recreation. Relax, have fun and embrace the power of recreation.
CITY: Bolingbrook
Itasca Park District
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - The Itasca Park District provides education and year-round recreation for constructive and enjoyable leisure time experiences. Come out and enjoy Itasca's award-winning waterpark, nature center, fitness facility and many community parks.
CITY: Itasca
Splash Park at Campton Hills Park
The splash park has many interactive water play features for children of all ages to enjoy. Some features include spray columns, spray loops, dumping buckets, spray cannons, bubblers, geysers and water wheels. These water features are constructed on top of a safety surface. The facility has a sand play area with water and sand play toys. This facility also has deck chairs and shade structures.
CITY: St. Charles
Chicago Northwest KOA Campground
Tent, vehicle, and cabin sites. Game room, pavilion, playground, and laundry facilities.
CITY: Union
Bowes Creek Country Club
Bowes Creek delivers a private club experience to the public golfer! It offers annual memberships for a day, or just enjoy Porter's Pub - an English inspired eatery.
CITY: Elgin
Raceway Woods
This 8-mile singletrack in Carpentersville, IL. is perfect for beginners without giving up on the excitement. The terrain is varied with steep descents, plenty of jumps, twisty trails through the woods and long stretches through meadows.
CITY: Carpentersville
Oak Brook Golf Club
18-hole golf course with driving range, restaurant and pro shop.
CITY: Oak Brook
Canlan Ice Arena
Canlan Ice Sports Romeoville is a 3-sheet ice facility featuring industry leading sport development programs, leagues, special events and birthday parties. It's the premier skating facility in Romeoville, IL. Open Mon-Fri 8am-11:00pm Sat & Sun 6am-11:00pm
CITY: Romeoville
East Side Sports Complex
A public park with lighted softball/baseball fields, basketball courts, playground, skateboard park, volleyball courts, tennis courts, dog park, fishing pond with a pier, shelter, walking trail, restroom.
CITY: St. Charles
Wheaton Park District
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Enjoy 829 acres of park facilities that include a water park, children's zoo, teams course, golf course, playgrounds, open space, athletic fields, sand volleyball, tennis, ice skating, playgrounds, swimming pools, in-line skating and hockey area and more!
CITY: Wheaton
Randall Oaks Golf Course
With undulating and quick greens, the course's front nine rolls and winds through 200-year old oak trees, while the back side is longer, with more water and strong winds.
CITY: West Dundee
Countryside West
This nine-hole public golf course, opened in 1966, is a par 34 at 2,465 yards. Rental carts are available.
CITY: DeKalb
Camp Sagawau
Forest Preserve District of Cook County's Camp Sagawau is an environmental education center established to promote the study of nature. Call for program schedule.
CITY: Lemont
Green Tree Golf Course
Our facilities include indoor meeting, banquet and reception facilities for small groups or up to 1,000 guests with full food and bar service. Our nine hole championship golf course is creative and challenging. The Executive Chip 'n Putt course is designed to be fun and flexible.Outdoor facilities include the Tikki Hut Bar and Grille, Orchard Picnic Area, mobile sound stage, horseshoe pits, bocce ball courts, badminton and volleyball sets, table tennis and card tables. We will provide children amusements per your request.We invite and will help you mix-and-match our facilities and services to come as close to, as is possible, pleasing each and every one of your guests – from golf outings to multi-activity fun-a-thons with something for everyone!
CITY: DeKalb
Prairie Pines Golf Course
Located 2 1/2 miles west of Annie Glidden Road on Route 38 in Dekalb, Illinois. The nine-hole, par 34 facility features a gently rolling course on 53 acres surrounded by farmland. Soothing views of pine trees and beautiful fields make the experience a pleasure and prevent worries about errant shots hitting homes nearby. Water features are promenant on holes number 2 and 3 and a meandering stream through the course provides ample challenge. Thinking of an outing or a family reunion? You can rent the whole facility at a reasonable price for a few hours or the whole day. Besides access to nine holes of golf and carts, "The Pines" offers fishing in their ponds, a large outdoor barbeque and plenty of space for horseshoes, volleyball, or bag games.
CITY: DeKalb
Elmhurst Park District
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - The Elmhurst Park District exists to provide opportunities for the enjoyment of residents and visitors, particularly those opportunities that people cannot supply for themselves. With facilities like the Sugar Creek Golf Course, the Elmhurst Art Museum, a skate park, two swimming pools, several fitness & recreation centers, over twenty neighborhood parks, and miles of bike paths and trails, the Elmhurst Park District will satisfy the needs of any audience.
CITY: Elmhurst
Brunswick Zone XL
Brunswick Zone XL is a full-feature, family-friendly entertainment destination with something for everyone. Our center in Romeoville sets the standard for family entertainment with more than 60,000 sq. ft. of fun for all ages. Brunswick Zone XL is a great place for Corporate Parties, Team Challenges, Monumental Moments and Birthday Parties! Call us today for more details. Become a fan of Brunswick Zone XL on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bowlbrunswick
CITY: Romeoville
Ferson Creek Park
Beautiful park along the Fox River & Ferson Creek offers picnic sites, shelter, playground, fishing and and canoe launch.
CITY: St. Charles
Genoa Pioneer Day
The Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society presents "Genoa Pioneer Day." This event will bring the experience of old time tradesman and crafters by providing a demonstration of skills, stagecoach rides, hands on activities, silent auction, fresh churned butter, fresh made cornbread, Lion's Club pork chops, kids games, music, old time pretend gun fights, President and Mrs Lincoln will be there. Bring your kids, Bring your friends! Bring your grandma and your grandpa!!! A fun and educational event right in your own hometown!! Activities start at 11:00 AM and Finish at 4:00 PM. For more information call 815-784-5559 or 815-784-5498, or visit www.genoamainstreet.com. Sponsored by Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society.
CITY: Genoa
Glen Ellyn Park District
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Discover 300+ acres of fun: splash park, outdoor swimming, mini golf, tennis, sand volleyball, bocce ball, horseshoes, ice skating, fitness center, playgrounds, athletic fields, banquet facilities, special events and year-round programs for all ages!
CITY: Glen Ellyn
Nature Education & Ski Center
This environmental education and cross country ski center is dedicated to educating the public while protecting and restoring our natural environment.
CITY: Lemont
Party for the Planet
Every day is Earth Day at Brookfield Zoo, but on this very special day we will be showcasing some of the steps you can commit to that will truly make a difference for animals across the globe! This year we will focus on the African Painted Dog. Party for the Planet will be filled with educational, engaging, and fun activities for the entire family including: a tour of the eco expo, electronic recycling, and entertainment!
CITY: Brookfield
Turnberry Country Club
This private member-owned golf club features an 18-hole course, along with a swimming pool and tennis courts.
CITY: Crystal Lake
Great Western Trail
The western-most, and older, section of the Great Western Trail is located between St. Charles in Kane County and eastern Sycamore in DeKalb County. This section of right-of-way was abandoned in 1977. The 18-mile (20km) crushed-stone path traverses unincorporated rural townships, natural wetlands, some restored prairie and farmland. The trail also passes through Virgil and Lily Lake and parallels Illinois Route 64,
CITY: St. Charles
Holes & Knolls Miniature Golf Course & Clubhouse in Maryknoll Park
The perfect setting for business & pleasure. Holes & Knolls features two 18-hole miniature golf courses and a clubhouse in a 25-acre park setting. The course design incorporates cascading waterfalls & streams. The clubhouse is available for rent.
CITY: Glen Ellyn
Boughton Ridge Golf Course
Situated on 45 beautiful acres, this nine-hole, 2205-yard, Par 32, executive length course offers the perfect course for a quick round of great golf.
CITY: Bolingbrook
River Heights Golf Course
River Heights Golf Course is an 18-hole facility that winds along the banks of the Kiswaukee River in DaKalb County, offering a challenging mix of traditional and links-type holes for the weekend player or serious golfer.
CITY: DeKalb
YWCA Camp Tu-Endie-Wei
Trails, fishing, cross-country skiing, skating, cabins on Willow Lake.
CITY: Elgin
Itasca Country Club
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Itasca Country Club is rich in tradition and offers a cost-effective solution for golf outings, corporate entertaining and special events in a picturesque setting. Enjoy beautiful surroundings, spectacular views, and the service of a fine country club-for your wedding reception or other banquet event. Amidst the elegant grounds and facilities, our skilled professional staff will put you at ease and ensure your special occasion is unforgettable.
CITY: Itasca
Elgin Park District
Outdoor ice skating; new refrigerated skating system; warming shelters available.
CITY: Elgin
Blackwell Forest Preserve
Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville, Illinois, has everything an outdoors fanatic could want. Hikers, bicyclers, horseback riders and cross-country skiers can enjoy more than 6 miles of turf and limestone trails, including a convenient route to the Illinois Prairie Path. Trails around the McKee Marsh area feature two observation decks, a bird blind, and signs that describe the history and ecological significance of the marsh.
CITY: Wheaton
Rolling Knolls Country Club
This 18-hole course is tree-lined, with 10 water holes.
CITY: Elgin
DuPage County Trail System
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - A 61-mile hiking, biking and nature trail follows the bed of a long-gone railroad. It's one of the nation's first linear recreation trails and a model for others in the United States.
CITY: Wheaton
Chalet Hills Golf Club
This championship 18-hole golf course with 6,950 yards offers bent grass fairways, and beautiful rolling hills and vistas. Power carts are required Friday through Sunday and holidays.
CITY: Cary
Maple Meadows Golf Course
Come and play right in your backyard! Visit Maple Meadows for outings, leagues, tournaments, individual play, and the great food in our restaurant. 27 holes, no reservations required and a beautiful public course!
CITY: Wood Dale
Salt Creek Golf Club
Make Salt Creek Golf Club your golfing "home course". When you select a facility to patronize regularly, you want the facility that offers the full gamut of a private club without the dues. Our 18-hole executive style golf course will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Set amidst gently rolling terrain, mature tree, and beautiful ponds, Salt Creek's 3895 yard, par 63 course challenge players of all skill levels with tree-lined fairways and strategically placed sand bunkers.
CITY: Wood Dale
Carol Stream Park District
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Stay active! This award-winning parks & recreation agency offers over 400 acres of parks, 5 miles of paved trails, 3 recreation centers, free special events & hundreds of recreation, dance, gymnastics, summer camp, sports & fitness & active adult programs.
CITY: Carol Stream
Spartan Meadows Golf Club
This course is a challenge for all levels, with competitive rates and a friendly staff.
CITY: Elgin
Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - 88,000 sq. ft. multi-use facility: 40-yd. x 40-yd. indoor turf field; 3 basketball courts with wood floors; rock-climbing; Chicago Bulls/White Sox Training Academy batting cages; multi-lane running track; multi-purpose rooms; 7,000 sq. ft. fitness center.
CITY: Glen Ellyn
Edgebrook Country Club
This semi-private course has tree-lined fairways and a hilly terrain. There is a creek and lake that come into play on six holes, and out-of-bounds stakes on just about every hole.
CITY: Sandwich
Villa Olivia Country Club
This Killian/Nugent-designed course features five water holes. An Olympic-size pool is available for free to golfers, along with sand volleyball, tennis, a softball area and more.
CITY: Bartlett
Busse Woods
The Busse Woods Trail system is located within Ned Brown Forest Preserve, a 3,700-acre property in the western suburbs of Chicago. There are 11.2 miles of paved trails for cyclists, equestrians and pedestrians. The main loop is nearly 8 miles, circling some lakes and meadows, while a couple of much shorter side loops will take you to the north and south end of the forest preserve. The Busse Woods Trail connects with the Schaumburg Bikeway on the west, and on the north, Busse Woods links to the Rolling Meadows Bikeway system. Some key features of the forest preserve include fishing, boat rentals and a small herd of captive resident elk. The trails are open from sunrise to sunset.
CITY: Elk Grove
Coyote Crossing Mini Golf Course
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Professionally designed 18-hole golf course. Putt around a waterfall, through a cave, over a river and under rocks. Coyote Crossing is a great place for birthdays, rentals, picnics, company and other group outings.
CITY: West Chicago
Buena Vista Golf Course
Buena Vista is a par 32, nine-hole golf course with a driving range, pro shop and snack bar. Open seven days a week during the season, weather permitting.
CITY: DeKalb
Willow Crest Golf Course
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - 18-hole championship golf course with water, sand, bunkers and beautiful landscape. Multi-tiered tees and bent grass tees. Group outings, memberships and overnight packages available.
CITY: Oak Brook
Norton Farm
Open May through October, the farm offers home-grown produce and fruits, flowers and bedding plants, and a petting zoo. Visit Norton Hollow October 1-31 for free hayrides, a straw maze and a corn tunnel.
CITY: St. Charles
Twin Lakes Golf Club
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Located on 25 acres, with woods, lakes and rolling hills, the course offers 9 holes of challenging golf for beginners and advanced golfers. Reduced rates available for golfers 55 and over. Clubhouse seats 60+ and has a variety of foods.
CITY: Westmont
Prairie Landing Golf Club
Playing this unique, well-conditioned and spectacularly-designed 18-hole course will surely make you want to come back. Full service premier meeting and banquet facility provides outstanding culinary offerings and personal service.
CITY: West Chicago
Oak Club Genoa
This picturesque, 18-hole watered course winds through wooded and lowland areas along the meandering Kishwaukee River. Oak Club is rated among the region's top 20 courses by Chicagoland Golf.
CITY: Genoa
Bensenville Park District
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - Ten minutes from O'Hare, Bensenville Park District offers everything for your leisure, fitness & banquet needs. From the outstanding White Pines Golf Club to the award-winning Deer Grove Water Park, come and enjoy a variety of activities, parks & events.
CITY: Bensenville
Mill Creek Golf Club
This 18-hole championship golf course, featuring wildflowers and elevated tees, offers spectacular views of the Fox Valley region.
CITY: Geneva
Pinecrest Golf Course
This course includes a restaurant and pro shop, and hosts the McHenry Senior Amateur (a Pinecrest special event).
CITY: Huntley
Mt. St. Mary Park
Riverside park offering paved bike trails, fishing, picnic areas, shelter & tennis courts, outdoor arboretum, skateboard park, playground, canoe launch, picturesque pond and waterfall. Located on the Fox River Trail.
CITY: St. Charles
Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural - Cortland
The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition has produced many Interpretive Murals along the Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway and its corridor in northern Illinois. The Cortland mural depicts the history, heritage, and events of the highway and its impact on Cortland and the other communities along the Illinois route.
CITY: Cortland
Sycamore Golf Club
This par 71, 18-hole golf club offers watered bent grass fairways, a putting green, swimming pool, tennis courts and horse shoes.
CITY: Sycamore
Schmidt's Canoeing Service
Camping, trips, outfitting and instructions.
CITY: Elgin
Jaynesway Farms (Bartlett)
A complete equestrian center offering English & Western riding lessons, boarding trail rides, pony rides, hayrides, carriages rides and barnyard zoo. Heated indoor arena.
CITY: Bartlett
Naperbrook Golf Course
Naperbrook Golf Course is an 18-hole links-style course featuring rolling hills, native prairie grass and an ever-present breeze. The course offers a ten-acre driving range, separate teaching tee, 10,000 square-foot practice green and versatile clubhouse.
CITY: Plainfield
Beverly Lake Forest Preserve
Beverly Lake Forest Preserve Trail is perfect for hiking and biking. The five mile out and back trail located near Dundee that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
CITY: Hoffman Estates
Red Tail Golf Club
This 18-hole championship golf course has been rated 4 stars by Golf Digest, 4-1/2 stars by Chicagoland Golf, and has been voted one of the best values in all of Illinois.
CITY: Crystal Lake
Western Acres Golf Course
DuPage County, Chicago's Western Suburbs - This 9-hole, par-35 course stretches over 3,000 yards. The well-maintained fairways and greens, along with sand and water hazards, offer a unique and challenging golf experience. The newly remodeled clubhouse is a picturesque location for a special event.
CITY: Lombard
Veterans Memorial Park
Veterans Memorial Park in Westmont
CITY: Westmont
Deer Grove Forest Preserve
Located in Palatine, IL, Deer Grove Forest Preserve has trails that offer a moderate level of difficulty. At almost 10 miles in length, the hiking trials make Deer Grove worth a visit. Split into two very individual sites connected by paved and unpaved trials, the east preserve features open wetlands surrounded by old fields and an in-progress savanna and prairie restoration. The west side is wilder, the forest denser and crisscrossed with footpaths along the rolling terrain. Quite woodlands, white-tailed deer and a completely different experience await the hiker on the west side. Both paths are equally enchanting.
CITY: Palatine
Oakhurst Forest Preserve
Explore the acres of woods and lakes, with scenic trails, shelters and views of Aurora and Chicago's skyline.
CITY: Aurora
Lincoln Highway Interpretive Mural -- DeKalb
The Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition has produced many Interpretive Murals along the Illinois Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway and its corridor in northern Illinois. The DeKalb mural depicts the history, heritage, and events of the highway and its impact on DeKalb and the other communities along the Illinois route.
CITY: DeKalb
Pottawatomie Park Golf
This nine-hole course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
CITY: St. Charles
Primrose Farm Park
Park has ball fields, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer goal posts, playground, benches & picnic tables, parking lot, pavilion and restrooms. A great family and group park.
CITY: St. Charles
Willowbrook Wildlife Center
DuPage's premier wildlife rehabilitation and educational facility. Over 90 species of injured native wild animals are on exhibit. Open daily. Donations encouraged.
CITY: Glen Ellyn


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High court weighs future of a class-action "hellhole"January 7, 2013: 7:02 AM ET
Using procedural sleights-of-hand to keep big corporate defendants trapped in congenial Arkansas courts, local law firms have extracted almost $400 million in fees over seven years in one small, rural county. Can the defendants stage a breakout?
By Roger Parloff
FORTUNE -- On Monday, in the case known as Standard Fire Insurance v. Knowles, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear argument on what might, at first glance, look like a dry procedural question over whether certain interstate class-actions should be heard by state or federal courts.
But behind that technical question lurks a lurid, tragicomic, outlandish back story. That story concerns the goings-on inside the circuit court of Miller County, Ark., where a handful of local law firms have made almost $400 million in fees over the past seven years, all from class-action settlements that have been procured without a judge's ever having ruled that these cases are even worthy of class treatment, let alone meritorious.
Precisely how much cash the lawyers' clients -- the class members themselves -- have received from the lawyers' so amply-compensated efforts on their behalf is, on the other hand, a mystery to this day. Those numbers are regarded as "confidential" and "proprietary" by the plaintiffs attorneys, and have been found to be "irrelevant" by the Miller County court, which has repeatedly refused to order that information disclosed to defendants who have sought it.
Because this back story seems more newsworthy to me than the technical and, in my humble opinion, startlingly easy legal issue being argued today before the Court, I will tell this story chronologically, beginning near the beginning. But for those who just want to skip to the bottom line, here it is. (Spoiler alert!) Standard Fire and, by extension, countless insurers and corporate defendants nationwide, will win this case, possibly by a 9-0 vote.
MORE: Does law school have a future?
In 2005, Congress enacted the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA). It was bipartisan legislation -- Senators Barack Obama, Chuck Schumer, and Dianne Feinstein all supported it, for instance -- intended to end certain abusive practices in a handful of quirky state court jurisdictions that, in Congress's view, were extracting suspiciously exorbitant settlements from out-of-state defendant corporations. These state courts, though few in number, could work an unusual amount of mischief, Congress determined, because their lax procedural rules permitted local lawyers to recruit plaintiffs from all over the country to file their cases there. Dispassionate academics referred to such courts as "magnet jurisdictions," wry plaintiffs lawyers called them "magic counties," and irate tort reformers called them "judicial hellholes."
Two of the most famous magnet jurisdictions were, and are, Madison County, Illinois, and Miller County, Arkansas. Miller County, whose county seat is Texarkana, on the Texas-Arkansas border, has a mostly rural population of about 45,000.
CAFA gave defendants the right to "remove" any class action to federal court if there was some minimal degree of "diversity" -- i.e., if class members came from a different state from the one where at least one defendant was based -- and so long as the "amount in controversy" (the total at stake, adding up damages, penalties, and attorneys fees) totalled more than $5 million. Both of these conditions were nearly always met in the cases that pro-CAFA legislators were most troubled by.
During the final weeks before CAFA took effect on February 18, 2005, several Texas-, Arkansas-, and Oklahoma-based plaintiffs firms filed several mammoth, nationwide class actions in Miller County circuit court, thereby getting their noses in under the wire under the pre-CAFA rules. The key firms were Keil & Goodson of Texarkana, Ark., and the Austin-based Nix Patterson & Roach, which has an office in Texarkana, Tex. These firms are also involved in the Standard Fire case, being heard today by the Supreme Court, though Standard Fire was not filed until much later, in 2011. Bear with me and we'll eventually get to Standard Fire. (Attorneys from Keil & Goodson and Nix Patterson each declined to return phone messages seeking to discuss court practices in Miller County.)
One of these last-minute, pre-CAFA, Keil & Goodson/Nix Patterson cases was Hensley v. Computer Sciences Corporation. It was brought by 15 plaintiffs who had suffered bodily injuries in auto accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured motorists. Each plaintiff's insurer made offers, engaged in negotiations, and in some in some instances reached settlements. But the class action attorneys now argued that all the insurers' settlement offers had been artificially depressed because of certain software programs -- the best known was called Colossus -- that were used by the insurers. Claims adjusters would enter the claimants' reported injuries and medical histories into spreadsheets and the software would compute a recommended range of settlement offers. The plaintiffs lawyers alleged that the insurers and software manufacturers were conspiring to use the software as a "'cost-containment' tool to enhance their profits at the expense of first party insured person."
MORE: Who owns your Twitter followers, you or your employer?
Though the named plaintiffs' policies had been written by just seven insurance companies, the suit was filed as a class action, naming 584 insurer defendants from across the country, as well as three software manufacturers. At least 24 "families" of insurance companies were sued, including, for instance, Allstate, State Farm, ANPAC (American National Property and Casualty), and Farmers. The plaintiffs asserted that they represented a class that included everyone who had filed uninsured motorist claims with any of these 584 companies going as far back as July 1996 -- almost nine years before the case was filed.
As in any class action, many defendants had certain threshold questions they wanted the court to address before allowing the case to go forward to the discovery stage -- the point when they would have to start disrupting operations and shelling out money to collect, review, redact, copy, and produce documents. Most, for instance, moved to dismiss on the grounds that the allegations, even if true, did not state a claim: How, for instance, were individual negotiations -- many of which culminated in amicable settlements -- tainted by the back-office software the insurer used to calculate an initial offer? Most defendants also claimed that the case wasn't suitable for class treatment, arguing that each offer was the product of its own unique circumstances. A number of companies claimed they'd never written insurance in Arkansas, so the Miller County court didn't even have jurisdiction over them. Others claimed they'd never used any of the software programs in question.
Most courts -- state and federal -- typically decide such threshold questions first, either delaying discovery until after they've been resolved, or ordering whatever limited discovery is needed to decide those threshold questions.
Not in Miller County, though, according to two amicus briefs submitted in the Standard Fire case: one, by a group of Farmers units (from the 21st Century Insurance Group) that were sued in the Hensley case and a second, filed jointly by ANPAC and the Manufactured Housing Institute, a trade institute whose members have also been defendants in Miller County. In Miller County class actions, these amici say, the court repeatedly ruled that decisions on most of their threshold motions would be deferred -- for as long as seven to nine years, in their experience -- while discovery went forward on all questions presented by the complaint. Thus, Farmers, for instance, maintains that it was ordered to produce all its case files nationwide -- about 55 million pages at a cost of more than $9 million -- even though the court had not yet ruled on its motion to dismiss or decided whether class treatment was suitable. (The plaintiffs attorneys who brought the Standard Fire case -- though they include some of the same lawyers who brought the cases against ANPAC and Farmers -- have declined to offer point-by-point rebuttals of Farmers's or ANPAC's accusations, arguing that the Supreme Court should not try to assess what happened in those other cases without having those entire records before them. Similarly, they have declined to address seemingly eye-popping Miller County practices recounted in various press articles --- like this or this or this or this or this or this -- arguing that they are inadmissible hearsay.
The oppressive discovery orders that Farmers and ANPAC allege they were hit with were, for the most part, nonappealable. Likewise, since no adverse rulings were ever made concerning the defendants' threshold motions -- decisions were just repeatedly put off until a later day that never seemed to arrive -- there was, again, nothing to appeal. As if in an episode of the Twilight Zone, they were caught in a perpetual litigation limbo from which settling seemed to be the only way out. (Appellate prospects were not, in any case, encouraging. The Arkansas Supreme Court tends to be extraordinarily pro-plaintiff in its interpretation of class-action law. In addition, Keil & Goodson partner John C. Goodson, who is involved in most of the Miller County class actions described in this article, is married to one of the seven justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court. She wrote a unanimous ruling in December 2011 striking down a state tort reform law which had sought to place caps on punitive damages.)
MORE: The defunct startup that beat Best Buy in court
Over time most defendants in the Miller County class actions capitulated. In 2006, for instance, Google settled a Miller County class action alleging "click fraud" in a deal that brought plaintiffs attorneys $30 million in fees while affording class members nothing but injunctive relief and non-cash coupons and "credits.")
In Hensley, 23 of the 24 insurance families settled. Each time one did, its portion of the case was severed into a separate case, a class "for settlement purposes only" was quickly certified without defense opposition (that being part of the settlement agreement) and attorneys fees were paid to the tune of $26 million (by The Hartford), or $27 million (American Family), or $36.5 million (Allstate). The total fees paid to plaintiffs attorneys in Hensley as of early this year came to more than $177 million. In each settlement the Miller County court ruled that the fees awarded were reasonable because the plaintiffs attorneys' had retained economic consultants who estimated (again, without dispute, since the case was settling) that the class was receiving from a theoretical projected benefit that was typically valued in the nine-figure range. These estimates consisted in part of enormous valuations assigned to the non-cash injunctive relief the class was getting—typically an informational web site set up by the defendant plus a five-year commitment to change certain internal policies or "recommended practices." The rest of the projected benefit consisted of an estimate of the maximum conceivable cash payment the defendant might have to make if every single eligible class member filed a valid, notarized claim form within the time period allotted for doing so, and was fully paid as a consequence. (In practice, it's not unusual, however, for fewer than 5% of class members to actually submit claims.)
According to an annotated breakdown submitted in the Standard Fire case by ANPAC, the Keil & Goodson and Nix Patterson law firms were involved in at least 24 Arkansas state class action settlements since 2005 -- 23 of them in Miller County -- from which the plaintiffs attorneys were paid $421 million in fees ($392 million in Miller County). These numbers have not been contested in the Standard Fire case, which is also being brought by the Keil & Goodson and Nix Patterson firms.)
Like a bush whose stems can be snipped, rooted, and then replanted to create new bushes throughout a yard, the Hensley and other pre-CAFA cases were, over the past seven years, severed into multiple spinoff cases, with both new plaintiffs and defendants being added. Miller County courts continued to treat most of these as pre-CAFA cases.
Nevertheless, at a certain point the Keil & Goodson and Nix Patterson firms did start filing unambiguously new cases that were finally going to be covered by CAFA's rules. The question then became: How could these be kept in Miller County or some other propitious Arkansas venue?
MORE: Lion of American labor: A final conversation with Marvin Miller
The answer was a "stipulation" that plaintiffs attorneys started writing into each complaint. In it the named plaintiff averred that he and every member of the class he hoped to eventually be certified to represent would not "seek," in aggregate, more than $5 million in damages and attorneys fees in the lawsuit. Accordingly, the plaintiffs argued, the "amount in controversy" was under the $5 million threshold that Congress required before a defendant could remove the case to federal court under CAFA.
Last year, the Keil & Goodson and Nix Patterson firms filed at least 25 new class actions in Arkansas state courts containing such a stipulation, including the Standard Fire case. Though Standard Fire tried to remove that case to federal court, arguing that the stip was unenforceable and made in bad faith, both the federal district and appeals courts rejected that argument and ordered the case sent back to Miller County. The Supreme Court then agreed to hear the matter in August.
The problems defendants have with these stipulations are legion. To begin with, the defendants don't believe for a second that any of these cases can be settled for $5 million or less. (Whatever settlement negotiations have occurred to date are confidential, so there is no hard evidence in the record on that question.) Defendants note that a commitment not to "seek" more than $5 million is not a commitment to "refuse" more than $5 million, if a sufficiently desperate defendant is spooked into offering it.
At a more basic, logical level, they also argue -- and this is the crux of the legal issue before the Court today -- that it is impossible for a named representative of an as-yet theoretical class (i.e., one that has not yet been certified into existence) to purport to waive the rights of other class members (whom he has not yet been adjudged suitable to represent) to recover money to which they are allegedly entitled. (CAFA dictates that whether the $5 million threshold is met "shall" be determined by aggregating "the claims of the individual class members.")
The plaintiffs lawyers respond that removal proceedings are traditionally decided based on the bare assertions contained in the complaint, so the stipulation alone should suffice to keep the case in state court. (Before the Supreme Court today, the plaintiffs are being represented by David C. Frederick of Washington, D.C.'s Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel, while Standard Fire's argument will be presented by Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr., of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.)
For what it's worth, I think the language of CAFA, the legislative history, the force of logic, and public policy considerations all point in a single direction here: reversal. Standard Fire and other out-of-state defendants should be granted the escape from Miller County that CAFA was enacted to provide.
There are, I recognize, some liberals who believe that magnet jurisdictions don't exist at all, and that they are, rather, constructs built of spurious anecdotes spun by insurance lawyers. Such liberals deny the existence of class-action abuses with the same puzzling and unflappable persistance with which some conservatives insist that President Obama was born in Kenya.
But there are no liberals of that description on the Supreme Court. Recognizing that abuses exist does not mean that anyone is accusing most class-action lawyers of being greedy or most state courts of being biased. Belief in the reality and harmfulness of magnet jurisdictions is not viewed by the Supreme Court as a liberal or conservative issue. It's seen as a matter of whether or not you were born yesterday. None of these justices were born yesterday. That's why I think the vote in today's case might be 9-0 for Standard Fire.


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Chelsea's Under-21s are in action on Sunday away to Manchester City, with the venue their Platt Lane training ground in Fallowfield, Manchester, not Hyde FC as originally scheduled.
We go into the game after many of them earned a creditable Under-19 NextGen Series draw in Norway against Molde on Wednesday night, and coach Dermot Drummy is taking a similar squad north for the encounter, with George Saville, an unused first-team sub on Wednesday, once again travelling with Roberto Di Matteo's group to Swansea.
The game kicks off at 12 noon, and is open to supporters.


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Home > Consumer Protection > Consumer News & Information > FDIC Consumer News
FDIC Consumer News
Special 10th Anniversary Edition - Fall 2003
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Want to learn more about how to be a smarter, safer financial consumer? Here's how to get back issues of FDIC Consumer News (including the full articles behind the abridged versions in this special report) and how to subscribe to our quarterly newsletter free of charge.
To request paper copies of previous articles or to be placed on the mailing list for future editions of FDIC Consumer News: Contact the FDIC's Public Information Center. Mail: 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434. Toll-free phone: 877-275-3342. E-mail: email@example.com. Fax: (703) 562-2296.
To read FDIC Consumer News articles online: Go to www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news to read or print out current and past articles. The online version contains the same information as the printed newsletter.
To receive e-mail notices telling you about each new issue posted to the Web site and providing links to articles of interest: Send an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com and type "Subscribe FDIC-consumernews" (make sure you include the hyphen) and your name in the message area.
The FDIC and other government agencies also have Web sites, staff and other resources that can help with banking-related questions and problems. See "For More Information" for more details.
|Last Updated 12/12/2003


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Oracle's plans for its own Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) product, announced last week, follow on the heels of Red Hat derivatives put together by dozens of open source projects, including CentOS, Pie Box, and Startcom Linux. But this week, members of the influential CentOS community voiced strong pessimism over Oracle Linux.
This story continues at


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The 2014 National is scheduled for the I-X Center in Cleveland July 30-Aug 3, 2014
General Admission Tickets and week-long VIP Admission Packages for the National are now on sale though this web site. The 35th National Sports Collectors Convention will be held at the International Exposition (I-X) Center in Cleveland 7/30/14-8/3/14. In addition to one-day General Admission Tickets, there are several different VIP Package options. All VIP Packages include admission to all 5 days of the show, a special VIP Reception on Wednesday afternoon, a gift package including promotional items not available elsewhere, free autograph tickets for exclusive VIP signers, use of a VIP Lounge for the week and more. A SuperVIP option this year provides free week-long parking in a special VIP Parking Area at the I-X Center. For attendees looking for autograph line privileges and other autograph related perks, there are several All Access packages as well. Details on all the admission options can be found on the National web site ticketing page by clicking here.
Tristar Productions has announced the first group of autograph guests for the 35th National, scheduled for July 30-August 3, 2014 at the I-X Center in Cleveland, OH. As usual the guest list includes a load of Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers. Additional names will be added as we get closer to the event.
Baseball Hall of Famers signing at the 35th National will include former Indians Roberto Alomar, Dennis Eckersley and Frank Robinson. Also slated to appear is current Indians Manager Terry Francona. Joining them will be Johnny Bench, Rod Carew, Carlton Fisk, Reggie Jackson, Al Kaline, Bill Mazeroski, Joe Morgan, Jim Palmer, Tony Perez, Jim Rice and Cal Ripken Jr.
Future Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez will sign at the National along with David Justice and Pete Rose.
Football is well represented as well. All-Time Cleveland Brown great Jim Brown headlines a number of NFL greats. Also signing will be newly inducted Hall of Famer Cris Carter along with Lem Barney, Nick Buoniconti, Earl Campbell, Dermontti Dawson, Fred Dean, Dan Dierdorf, Bob Griese, Jack Ham, John Hannah, Franco Harris, Jack Lambert, Deion Sanders, Paul Warfield and Jack Youngblood. Appearing with them will be former Steeler greats Rocky Bleier, Andy Russell and Hines Ward. Former Ohio State Heisman Winners Archie Griffin and Eddie George are scheduled as well.
"Dr. J", the great Julius Erving will be signing at the National. Also appearing will be former Boxing Legends and Champions "Sugar" Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns. Additional names will be announced as they are confirmed. Autograph tickets for all signers will go on sale later this year through the Tristar web site.
Tickets and VIP Admission Packages will go on sale for the 35th National beginning Monday, March 3, 2014. The 35th National Sports Collectors Convention will be held at the International Exposition (I-X) Center in Cleveland 7/30/14-8/3/14. In addition to one-day General Admission Tickets, there are several different VIP Package options. All include admission to all 5 days of the show, a special VIP Reception on Wednesday afternoon, a gift package including promotional items not available elsewhere, free autograph tickets for exclusive VIP signers, use of a VIP Lounge for the week and more. A SuperVIP option this year provides free weeklong parking in a special VIP Parking Area at the I-X Center. For attendees looking for autograph line privileges and other autograph related perks, there are several All Access packages as well. Details on all the admission options can be found on the National web site at www.NSCCShow.com
The 35th National Sports Collectors Convention will be held at the International Exposition (I-X) Center in Cleveland, OH, July 30-August 3, 2014. The I-X Center has been the site of several very successful Nationals in the past, the most recent being in 2009. The I-X Center is conveniently located adjacent to Hopkins International Airport (CLE). Hotel and other travel information can be found by clicking the "Travel & Hotel" link at the left side of this page.
Cleveland is a hotbed for sports collectors and the fans there are great supporters of all the local teams. Details about the upcoming National will be posted as they are finalized. Tickets and VIP Admission Packages will be available through this web site in early March.
The 34th National Sports Collectors Convention ends on Sunday afternoon. It's been a great week so far and Sunday still has lots for attendees to do and see. The Tristar Autograph Pavilion has a load of Baseball Hall of Famers including former Cub Greats Billy Williams and Ferguson Jenkins. Joining them will be Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Tommy Lasorda, Joe Morgan, Eddie Murray and Tony Perez. Also appearing on Sunday are fan favorites Pete Rose, Roger Clemens, Johnny Damon, Steve Garvey, Eric Davis,Jeff Reardon as well as White Sox stars like Lamarr Hoyt, Jack McDowell, Gary Peters and Ralph Garr.
Make sure to visit the Corporate Pavilion for the many free drawings and giveaways that will be ending today. And look for bargains at dealer booths as the show reaches the end of its five-day run. The crowds on Saturday were great as shown in this photo of general admission attendees entering the show floor on Saturday morning.
We hope everyone had a great time at the National this year and we hope to see you later today and at the 35th National Sports Collectors Convention next July 30-August 3, 2014 at the International Exposition (I-X) Center in Cleveland. Any exhibitors wishing a booth for the 35th National should contact Megan in the National Office.
The big guns come to the Tristar Autograph Pavilion on Saturday at the 34th National Sports Collectors Convention. To start with the legendary Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks will be signing. Mr. Cub will be joined by Hall of Famers "Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson and Cal Ripken Jr. Joining these all time greats are a group of recently retired players many of whom are bound for Cooperstown when they become eligible. This group includes Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas, Mike Piazza, Pedro Martinez, Chipper Jones, Randy Johnson, David Justice, Brandon Webb and Jermaine Dye.
The Football Hall of Fame is represented by Bart Starr. Boxing Champions Sugar Ray Leonard,Sugar Shane Mosley, Roy Jones Jr., Thomas "The Hit Man" Hearns and former Heavyweight Champ Larry Holmes will sign on Saturday. Soccer Great Mia Hamm will appear as will former ND Coach Lou Holtz and NBA Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard. You'll want to get there early on Saturday.
Dealers continued to report strong sales as the crowd was excellent for a Friday at the National. The Corporate Area was abuzz with redemptions and other promotions. The Upper Deck and Leaf Booths had great crowds throughout the day. Dick Fosbury and Bob Beamon were seen chatting with fans in the Olympic Pavilion and several radio stations broadcast live from the National. On Saturday an episode of "A Piece of the Game" will be filmed at the show.
Saturday is the last day to buy tickets online for the National as online ticketing ends at 2AM Central time on August 4.
The 34th National continues on Friday with another great slate of Autograph Guests. Scheduled to appear on Friday are Former Bear TE and Head Coach Mike Ditka, Blackhawks Hall of Famers Bobby Hull and Goalie Tony Esposito, Baseball Hall of Famers Carlton Fisk, Dennis Eckersley, Bob Gibson, Paul Molitor, Jim Rice, and Ozzie Smith. Joining them will be Basketball Hall of Famers Chris Mullin and Jerry Lucas.
Thursday at the National brought lots of brisk buying by attendees. Despite the grand opening of the new Fashion Outlet Mall which helped to tie up traffic and parking lots around the Convention Center, dealers reported solid sales of all kinds of merchandise. The redemption programs continued throughout the corporate area.
The OYO promotion at Never Enough Cards booth was extremely successful and will continue through Sunday morning. The OYO National minifigure was popular with kids and adults alike. The Heritage Auction held on Thursday evening yielded some strong bidding. Sam Snead's 1946 British Open Claret Jug trophy reportedly topped $260,000.
Tickets for the National remain on sale online through this web site. But online ticket sales will close on Sunday morning at 2:00 AM CDT.
The 34th National Opens with VIP Reception & Sneak Peek
The 34th National Sports Collectors Convention opened on Wednesday afternoon with the Memory Lane VIP Reception. VIP attendees were treated to refreshments, a trivia contest with prizes provided by DACardworld, a presentation by Upper Deck and free autographs from Dwight Gooden, Neal Anderson, and Olympic Gold Medalists Dick Fosbury and Bob Beamon.
The 34th National Sneak Peek, sponsored by Legendary Auctions, opened to the public at 4PM. The same four athletes signed for attendees on the show floor and in the Tristar Autograph Pavilion. Dealers were open for business and reported brisk sales. The National continues on Thursday with a slate of guests including Football Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson, Frank Gifford, Dan Fouts, Mean Joe Greene, Dan Hampton, Marv Levy, Ron Mix, Lawrence Taylor and more. Also appearing are Heisman Winners Troy Smith and Archie Griffin. Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Palmer will be on hand as will several Hall of Fame Jockeys including Laffit Pincay, Ron Turcotte, Patrick Valenzuela, and Jorge Velasquez.
Dwight Gooden, Neal Anderson, Bob Beamon and Dick Fosbury Signing on Opening Day at 34th National
The countdown clock above reminds us that the 34th National opens on Wednesday, July 31. If you purchased a week-long VIP Admission package, you can attend the special VIP Reception beginning at 2:30PM in Room 14 at the Convention Center. Make sure to bring your ticket and pick up your credentials, VIP Gift Package and VIP Autograph Tickets at the Lobby Registration Kiosk before heading over to the Reception. VIPs will be permitted onto the show floor at 3:30 PM
If you have a General Admission ticket and plan to come to the Sneak Peek, the show floor opens to you at 4:00PM. Just a reminder the Dwight Gooden, Neal Anderson, Bob Beamon and Dick Fosbury are signing free autographs at both the VIP Reception and the Sneak Peek. Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance online to save!
OYO to Produce Exclusive Minifigure for 34th National
National Sports Collectors Convention is pleased to announce that OYO, the
manufacturer of minifigures designed to resemble major league players is
producing an exclusive 34th National figure. OYO is an official licensee of
MLB, NFL,NHL and NCAA. The National will be held at the Donald E Stephens
Convention Center in Rosemont IL, July 31-August 4.
National exhibitor Lisa Stellato of Never Enough Cards/Sports Evolution
Marketing has developed a promotion which is a first for the
National. At Booth #670 100 of the limited edition OYO minifigures will be
distributed each day of the National (Wednesday-Sunday) to the first 50 kids
and 50 adults. The National Limited Edition OYO will be a
packaged limited edition with accessories.
In addition, Thursday-Sunday between 11AM-1PM, OYO
will run one-half hour sessions for kids to build an OYO field. There are 12
spots available per day. OYO is providing 12 field sets and each participant
will be invited to build and play with the field sets and OYO players. All
participants will also receive a bag of "goodies" from Never Enough
Cards including sports cards sets, packs and other items. Extra OYO figures
will be given out as prizes. Kids may register in advance by sending
an email to email@example.com to reserve a spot. Parents should send an email including the childs
name, day and time they would like to participate and a contact phone number.
Chicago Team logos including the Chicago Bulls, WhiteSox, Cubs (and hopefully
the Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks) made completely out of LEGO bricks will be
on display at Booth 670
ESPN "Mint Condition" Talks to NSCC Founder Mike Berkus about 34th National
ESPN's Mint Condition, the Network's show about memorabilia featured an interview with National Founder, Mike Berkus. Berkus and host Cary Chow talked about the upcoming National. To hear the interview, click here
Topps to Offer Exclusive Bowman Parallel Set, Wrapper Redemption Cards and Minis at 34th National in Chicago
at the 2012 National loved the exclusive Bowman Blue Foil Parallel set so
Topps is bringing them back in Chicago! The 25-card 2013 Bowman Platinum
Blue Foil Parallel Set (#'d to 500) will feature the hottest prospects and
rookies in Baseball. Some lucky collectors will find autograph cards of Byron
Buxton, Carlos Correa, Taijuan Walker and more. To top this all off a
Yasiel Puig autograph redemption can be found in this set!
opening ONE full sealed HOBBY BOX of 2013 Bowman Platinum Baseball (in front of
a Topps rep at the booth) can redeem the box for this exclusive
set. This redemption will be limited to 100 sets per day and
1 set per person per day. The set will ONLY be available at the 34th National Sports Collectors
1952 Bowman Cards - featuring original artwork by James Henry Smith of JHS
Sketch Cards. (Check them out on FB at facebook.com/jhssketchcards)
has created a special 8-card 2013 Wrapper redemption set that features the 1952
Bowman design. Collectors opening 3 packs of any 2013 Topps/Bowman
HOBBY product (in front of a Topps rep at the booth) can redeem their wrappers
for one of the following cards: Ernie Banks, Frank Thomas, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Geno Smith, EJ Manuel, Tavon Austin or Eddie Lacy.
This redemption will be limited to 100 cards per subject per day. And each
subject is limited to 1 redemption per person per day.
will be offering a limited number of all-new 2013 Topps Mini Baseball boxes (online
exclusive) for sale at its booth during the show. Look for autograph
cards from the following in this product: Yasiel Puig, Mike Trout, Sandy Koufax & Nolan Ryan
again, the company will give collectors an opportunity to talk to Topps
employees. The first 150 people to sign up at the Topps Corporate Booth #637 will be
invited to a special Topps Meet & Greet where a question and answer period
will be held. The event will take place Friday evening August 2nd in
Room 3 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center from 8pm-10pm.
In the Game, a premier manufacturer of hockey trading cards has announced a special treat for all attendees who purchase any VIP Admission Package for the upcoming 34th National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago, July 31-August 4, 2013.
In addition, Sportkings has one of the better box break redemption programs for the National. Break one box of Sportkings Series F at the In The Game booth (#634), to receive a specially made relic card just for the 34th National. These cards will contain single, double, and triple pieces of memorabilia. Each card will have 19 silver versions and 1 gold.
If you're a real high-roller and decide to open a 16-box case of Sportkings Series F at the In The Game booth, you'll receive a 1/1 Spectacular Patch made just for the National. There will be Spectacular Patch cards of Chicago favorites like Stan Mikita, Chris Chelios, Harold Baines, Bill Skowron, Luis Aparicio, Glenn Hall, Ed Belfour, Sammy Sosa, Jeremy Roenick and many more.
Panini has announced the first four cards of their 6-card VIP Set for the 34th National Sports Collectors Convention. The remaining two cards will be announced on Wednesday 7/31, the opening day of the Show.
Panini's VIP set is a multi-sport issue. The four announced cards are E J Manuel, Florida State quarterback who was the first round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills, Oscar Taveras, St Louis Cardinals outfield prospect who was recently ranked as the Number 1 Minor League Propspect, Geno Smith, West Virginia quarterback and second round draft pick of the New York Jets and Nail Yakupov, Edmonton Oiler Right Winger who was the number 1 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Tickets for the 34th National Sports Collectors Convention are now on sale through this web site by clicking here or by clicking the "PURCHASE TICKETS" Button at the top left of this page.
Leaf Announces VIP Set and Redemption Details for the 34th National
Leaf Trading Cards has announced that a 7-card set which includes Dodger Rookie Sensation Yasiel Puig will be given to all attendees who purchase a VIP Admission Package for the 34th National Sports Collectors Convention. Puig burst upon the scene in June and has opened the eyes of baseball fans everywhere. Joining the Dodgers on June 2, Puig became the first player in Major League history to have at least 7 home runs and 34 hits in his first 20 Big League games. He finished the month of June with 44 hits, 2nd only to Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio among MLB rookies for most hits in a month at the start of a career.
The Leaf VIP Set also includes All Time Hit King Pete Rose and 5-time All Star, 2-time AL MVP and Future Hall of Famer Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas. Also depicted on the 2013 Leaf VIP Set will be 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist Hope Solo. Joining these great stars will be long-time wrestling favorite Ric Flair, MMA and UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie plus Storage Wars star Dave Hester.
Leaf has also announced a great redemption program at the 34th National. Break any of the qualifying products at Leaf Corporate Booth #826 and pick your prize from the many items available. See below for information.
During the 34th National the Chicago Cubs are home at Wrigley Field to play the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wrigley is just a short trip from the Convention Center.Join the Chicago Cubs as they welcome 2013 National Sports Collectors attendees to Wrigley Field! Great seats are available for each of the select dates below:
Thursday August 1 7:05 vs Los Angeles Dodgers - Cubs Headphones
Friday August 2 3:05 vs Dodgers - Cubs BB Card Album, Exclusive Limited Edition Topps Baseball Archives Set
Saturday August 3 3:05 vs Dodgers - Exclusive Limited-Edition Kyuji Fujikawa Bobblehead
Sunday August 4 vs Dodgers 1:20 - Cubs Book Cover, Kids Run the Bases
To place an order, please click here or visit cubs.com/sportscollector. You can also click on the link on the left side of this page. For groups
of 20 or more, please contact the Group Sales Department at (773) 404-4242. For
information regarding suites and premier seating, please call the Premier Sales
Team at (773) 404-4200. We hope to welcome you to Wrigley Field this
Also for the first time ever, the Cubs will have a presence at the show. There will be a Cubs Kiosk in the lobby. Stop by and say hello.
Upper Deck Announces Plans for 34th National Sports Collectors Convention
National Sports Collectors Convention
is one of the biggest shows of the year for Upper Deck and if this year's show
is anything like last years event,
collectors are in store for an amazing time courtesy of Upper Deck. Upper Deck
has an awesome line-up of events for the 2013 National in Chicago from July
31-August 4, 2013.
Upper Deck is producing a special six (6) card set of the company's top
spokesmen and legendary Chicago players available only to VIP and SuperVIP
ticket holders. Order your
tickets today and to assure receiving the limited-edition set featuring Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky,
Tiger Woods, Jonathan Toews, Frank Thomas and LeBron James.
Redemption Program - Collectors just need to purchase
five (5) packs of 2013 SPx Football, 2013 Upper Deck Football (Hobby),
2012-13 SP Authentic Basketball, 2012-13 NHL SP Authentic or 2013
Goodwin Champions OR two (2) packs of 2012 Fleer Retro Football, 2012-13
NHL Fleer Retro or 2012-13 Fleer Retro Basketball to receive one (1)
2013 Upper Deck National Sports Collectors Convention Pack. These five
(5) card packs must be purchased from a Certified Diamond Dealer who
will provide collectors with an Upper Deck issued voucher for the redemption
program. The program will begin at different times each day starting on
Thursday and run as long as supplies last. Collectors can take advantage of the
promotion up to four times per person, per day.
Thursday: Packs will include Rory McIlroy,
Mark McGwire, Troy Glaus, Jonathan Toews and Cheyenne Woods Friday: Packs will include LeBron James, Tony Cingrani, Wayne Gretzky, Tony
Gwynn and Brandon Saad. Saturday: Packs will include Tiger Woods, Bobby Hull,
Reggie Jackson, Pete Incaviglia and Ken Griffey Jr. Sunday: Packs
will include Michael Jordan, Frank Thomas, Patrick Kane, Darryl Strawberry and
Jim Abbott. What
really makes this promotion exciting, however are the random autographs inserted into these packs from some of the biggest names in sports today.Here are just a couple of the autographs you could find!
Press Pass Announces 5-card NASCAR Set for VIP Packages
Press Pass, the premier manufacturer of NASCAR trading cards, has announced it will produce an exclusive card set for 34th National VIPs. The set will include Rookie of the Year Candidate Danica Patrick as well as racing favorites Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Jimmy Johnson. The cards will be patterned after Press Pass's "popular "Fan Following" insert set. Each attendee purchasing a VIP Admission package will receive the set in their VIP Gift Bag.
Press Pass has also announced a special redemption program for the National. Receive one blind-wrapped "Mystery Pack" for each hobby box of 2013 Press Pass NASCAR product purchased on the show floor from a dealer carrying 2013 Press Pass products (eligible products include 2013 Press Pass Racing, 2013 Total Memorabilia, 2013 Ignite Racing, 2013 Redline Racing, and 2013 Fanfare Racing). Every "Mystery Pack" will contain an exclusive Press Pass Fanfare autograph card created just for The National! The roster will consist of approximately 50 drivers including all of the biggest names like Danica Patrick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Tony Stewart. All autograph cards will be #'d to 10 or less! Each "Mystery Pack" will also include a limited edition Exclusive Fanfare base set parallel card numbered to 3. VIP Packages and General Admission Tickets are available through this web site. Click on the "Purchase Tickets" button at the top left of this page.
Tickets for 34th National Autograph guests are on sale beginning at 6PM CDT on Friday May 24th. The schedule and pricing can be found on Tristar's web site by clicking here.
VIP and General Admission Tickets for the National can be purchased here for the National. For details on ticket options and pricing, please visit our ticket page by clicking here or by clicking the ticket link at the left on this page. The 34th National will be held at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont IL, July 31-August 4, 2013
The guest list for the 34th National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont IL, July 31-August 4 continues to grow. Tristar Productions has announced a number of additional blockbuster signers in the last few weeks. Autograph Tickets for all National signers will be on sale through Tristar's web site on or about May 24.
Recent additions to the signing list include Soccer Hall of Famer Mia Hamm and Racing Hall of Famer Laffit Pincay. NBA Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard will be at the National. Baseball additions include recent retirees like Johnny Damon and Brandon Webb as well as Hall of Famer Rich "Goose" Gossage. NFL Hall of Famers Frank Gifford (rare signing appearance), Ron Mix, Bob St. Clair, Eric Dickerson and "Mean" Joe Greene have been added. Also signing at the National will be former Heisman Trophy Winners Terry Baker, Archie Griffin (2-time winner) and Troy Smith. Hockey Hall of Famer and former Blackhawks Goalie Tony Esposito is joining us as well. For a complete list of signers and ticket information, visit the Tristar web site.
Tickets & VIP Admission Packages for the National are currently available through this web site. You can click here or on the "Purchase Tickets" button at the left side of this page.
Dick Fosbury & Bob Beamon will also sign
The VIP Reception is the Kickoff event for the 34th National. Open to all attendees who have purchased any of the VIP Admission Packages, the Reception is held on Wednesday afternoon, July 31 from 2:30-4:00PM. In addition to receiving their VIP credentials, gift package and VIP autograph tickets, VIPs are treated to a reception with food and beverage. The National also provides several free autograph signers at the Reception. This year we think we've outdone ourselves. Appearing at the VIP Reception will be four big name signers. Previously announced were former Olympic Gold Medalists Dick Fosbury, creator of the "Fosbury Flop" style used by almost every high jumper today and Bob Beamon, who set an unbelievable world record by long jumping over 29' in Mexico City in 1968. Joining these Olympians will be Dwight "Doc" Gooden, 1984 Rookie of the Year and 1985 Cy Young Award Winner and Bears Running Back Neal Anderson. Anderson is a four-time Pro Bowl selection who succeeded Walter Payton and is the second leading rusher in Bears history.
Dwight Gooden burst on the scene in 1984 as a 19 year old fireballer with the New York Mets. In July of that season, he became the youngest pitcher ever to start an All Star Game. Gooden went on to win the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year Award. His breakout season came in 1985 when he went 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA and 268 strikeouts and was named Cy Young Award Winner. Gooden was a 4-time All-Star for the Mets and pitched for them through 1994. In 1996 his career took a big lift when he joined the Yankees. Gooden threw a no-hitter for the Yankees and was a member of their 1996 and 2000 World Series Championship teams. "Dr. K", as he was known, ended his career with 194 wins and nearly 2300 career strikeouts.
Neal Anderson received All America mentions in 1984 & 1985, playing for the University of Florida. A member of the University's Hall of Fame, Neal was the first round pick of the Chicago Bears in the 1986 NFL Draft. Hand picked to succeed Bears All-Time Great Walter Payton, Anderson became the Bears starter in 1987. He put together 3 consecutive 1000 yard rushing season and was named All Pro in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991. Anderson's career was cut short by injury but he scored 51 career touchdowns and is currently the Bears 2nd leading career rusher trailing only the great Walter Payton.
All four of these great athletes, Gooden, Anderson, Fosbury and Beamon, will be signing at the VIP Reception on Wednesday afternoon open to all attendees who have purchased any one of the VIP Admission Packages for the National.
Tickets and VIP Admission Packages are currently on sale for the 34th National. There are several different VIP Package options. All include admission to all 5 days of the show, a special VIP Reception on Wednesday afternoon, a gift package including promotional items not available elsewhere, free autograph tickets for exclusive VIP signers, use of a VIP Lounge for the week and more. A SuperVIP option this year provides free weeklong parking at the Rosemont Public Garage directly across from the Convention Center. For attendees looking for autograph line privileges and other autograph related perks, there are several All Access packages as well. Details on all the admission options can be found on our "Ticket Information web page.
Click here to purchase and print out your tickets now and avoid standing in ticket lines at the Convention Center. Buying in advance online also saves you money. Box Office ticket prices will be higher.
Autograph Tickets on Sale May 24
Tristar Productions, operator of the Autograph Pavilion at the National Sports Collectors Convention, has announced that tickets for autograph guests signing at the 34th National will be on sale through the Tristar web site beginning May 24. Details including schedule and pricing will be posted on Tristar's site. Admission Tickets and VIP Packages for entry to the National are currently on sale through the National's site by clicking the "PURCHASE TICKETS" link at the left on this page or by clicking here.
The 34th National Sports Collectors Convention will run from Wednesday July 31 through Sunday August 4 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL
Additional National Autograph Guests
The guest list for the 34th
National Sports Collectors Convention, July 31-August 4 at the Donald E
Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont continues to grow. Future Hall of Fame
catcher Mike Piazza will be making a rare appearance at the National. Piazza, a
likely first ballot Hall of Famer, was the 1993 NL Rookie of the Year and a
12-time All Star. Mike has a career .308 BA and 427 career home runs. Joining
him will be "The Rocket" Roger Clemens. Clemens is a 7-time Cy Young Award
Winner with over 300 wins and 4000 strikeouts. In addition to these greats,
Former White Sox Hall of Fame Shortstop Luis Aparicio and Cubs right-hander
Ferguson Jenkins have been added to the 34th National Autograph
List. Piazza's godfather, Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda will be on hand as
2011 NBA Hall of Fame Inductee
Chris Mullin joins the growing list of signers. Mullin was a 3-Time Big East
Player of the Year played on 2 Olympic Teams. Playing most of his 17 year NBA career with
the Golden State Warriors, Chris was a 5-time NBA All Star. He is currently an
ESPN Analyst. NFL Hall of Fame Coach Marv Levy has been added to the 34th
National lineup. Levy coached the Buffalo Bills to 4 consecutive Super Bowl
appearances in the early 1990's.
Three additional signers have
been added to the VIP Program. Hockey fans will remember Eddie Olczyk, former
Chicago Black Hawk Center who had a 16 year NHL career. Olczyk was a member of
the 1994-95 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers team. He tallied 342 career goals and coached the
Pittsburgh Penguins before becoming a member of the Blackhawks broadcast team. Joining
Olczyk will be former Hawks goaltender Murray Bannerman. Bannerman was an NHL
All Star and currently ranks 5th among all Chicago Goaltenders in
career wins. Robbie Bull, the Bulls 1st round draft pick in 1962
after a great college career at Baylor will be a VIP signer. Bull was named the
NFC Rookie of the Year in 1962. He retired after a 10 year NFL career and was
named to the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Tickets and VIP Packages for the
34th National Sports Collectors Convention are now on sale through this
web site. VIPs will receive entry to all 5 days of the National, July 31-August
4, as well as a special reception on July 31. VIPs will also receive a gift
package of promotional items available only at the National and autograph tickets for VIP
signers. For complete details, please visit our ticket page by clicking here or using the "Purchase Tickets" link on the left side of this page.
Also announced are five of the greatest jockeys of all time. Steve Cauthen, who piloted Affirmed to the Triple Crown in 1978 to become the youngest Triple Crown rider in history will sign. Cauthen will be joined by the Legendary Ron Turcotte who won the Triple Crown in 1973 aboard Secretariat. Jean Cruguet, who won the 1977 Triple Crown riding Seattle Slew will be at the National. These three greats will be joined by Racing Hall of Famers Jorge Velasquez and Pat Day.
Several additional VIP signers have been added as well. Former Reds All Star and member of the 30-30 Club Eric Davis, 1967 Heisman Trophy winner Gary Beban, NFL Hall of Famer and 2-time Super Bowl Champion Mel Renfro as well as 1963 AL Rookie of the Year Gary Peters have been added to the list of VIP signers. For a complete list of VIP signers and to purchase tickets, visit our ticket page by clicking on the link at the left of this page.
34th National VIP Packages and General Admission Tickets Now On Sale
VIP Packages provide admission to all 5 days of the National (attendees are admitted one-half hour earlier than the general public). In addition, VIP Attendees are invited to a special reception prior to the Sneak Peek on Wednesday with refreshments and free autograph guests. VIP Packages provide selected free VIP Autograph signers throughout the week, along with a special gift package of promotional items not available elsewhere. There is also a SuperVIP Package which includes weeklong free parking at the Rosemont Public Garage across from the entrance to the Convention Center.
Details about all VIP, SuperVIP and Tristar All Access Packages are explained on our ticketing page by clicking this link. Once again, you will be able to print your tickets immediately online and save money and avoid waiting in line at the Convention Center. BUY TICKETS NOW.
Future Hall of Famers Scheduled to Appear
The initial group of autograph guests for the 2013 National at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center, July 31-August 4, 2013, has been announced by Tristar Productions.
Baseball is well represented with appearances
confirmed by Hall of Famers including Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Dennis Eckersley, Carlton Fisk, Bob Gibson, Tony Gwynn, Rickey Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Tony Perez, Jim Rice, Cal Ripken Jr and Ozzie Smith. Plus, special appearances will be made by Future Hall of Famers including Chipper Jones, Pedro Martinez and Chicago's own Frank Thomas. Recent retirees Jermaine Dye and David Justice will be signing as well.
Football stars scheduled to appear include Hall of Famers Bart Starr, Dan Fouts, Bears Great Dan Hampton, the original "LT" Lawrence Taylor and Bob Griese.
Making a rare appearances will be Boxing Legend "Sugar" Ray Leonard and NBA Hall of Famer Jerry Lucas. Many more players to be announced, including big name football stars in the
coming weeks!
Admission tickets
and VIP Packages for the 33rd National will go on sale on the National's
website in early March. More information coming soon. Autograph tickets will go on sale on the TRISTAR website
in late May / early June. Click here to visit Tristar's National Autograph page.
The first three of eighteen total VIP Signers have been named. Joining us to sign for 34th National VIP attendees will be former Dallas Cowboy Super Bowl XXX MVP Larry Brown. Playing on three Super Bowl Championship teams, Brown is making his first ever National appearance. Joining him are a couple of former MLB greats. Jeff Reardon "The Terminator" was one of baseball's all time great closers. Pitching for the 1987 World Series Champion Twins, Jeff compiled 367 career saves and was a four-time All Star. Also appearing as a VIP signer will be Ralph Garr. Garr won the 1974 NL Batting Title and played several years with the White Sox. He compiled a .306 career BA. Additional VIP signers will be announced as they are confirmed.
Olympic Pavilion Returns for 34th National in Chicago
The organizers of the 34th National Sports Collectors Convention are pleased to announce that the 2013 event will welcome the return of a pavilion dedicated solely to collectibles from the Olympic Games. The 2011 National in Chicago marked the first appearance of an Olympic Pavilion and both attendees and exhibitors alike were extremely pleased.
Collectors were exposed to a totally new experience and were able to see and purchase items including Olympic medals, pins, torches and many other items associated with the Olympic Games. Olympin Club organizers were not able to participate in 2012 since the dates of the National conflicted with the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Exhibitors are excited to be back at the National and are looking forward to the event in August. Additional details will be posted as they become available. The 34th National is scheduled forJuly 31-August 4, 2013 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL